Cat cafes first became popular in Japan, where people love them but often live in places to small to have a pet. So they were willing to pay to come pet and play with cats. The concept soon swept the world, including the U.S., where they often feature adoptable cats from shelters that you can take home if you fall in love.
That’s the case with Cleveland’s AffaGATO Cat Café, the city’s first cat café, which opened in early 2019. At any given time, there are 16-18 cats (along with three permanent resident ones) on the premises, all from the APL available for adoption.
Grab a drink and a snack from the café (vegan and gluten-free options available), pay a small admission fee (which goes to help run the place) and then go in and get a dose of purr therapy. Reservations are recommended. For some reason, the place is popular!
The café is located next to the striking domes of St. Theodosius church, whose free parking lot you can use every day but Sunday.
761 Starkweather
440-941-5130